What was the main focus of the Human Genome Project?

The primary objective of the Human Genome Project was to map all the genes of the human species. This ambitious international research initiative aimed to sequence the entire human genome, which consists of over three billion base pairs of DNA. By identifying and mapping all the genes, scientists sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of human genetics, including the location and function of each gene. This foundational work not only contributed to genetic research but also paved the way for advancements in medicine, such as the identification of genetic diseases and the development of targeted therapies.

The other options represent significant areas of biological and environmental research, but they do not encapsulate the main goals of the Human Genome Project. While developing new biopharmaceuticals and studying the effects of pollutants on health are important for public health and medical applications, they were not the core focus of the project. Similarly, creating genetically modified organisms is a separate topic largely related to agricultural biotechnology and has different objectives than mapping the human genome.